Page 81 of The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins

Again, no one else laughed, and Lord Markeley said, “I think I’ve said the wrong thing again. Maybe I should just be quiet.”

“Do not worry, Markeley,” Mr. Merritt said, and even Lord Brookhaven gave him a lopsided smile.

“Shall we adjourn to the drawing room?” I stood and everyone else followed.

Millicent volunteered to play the pianoforte for us, and I found myself seated next to Lord Markeley.

“Forgive me,” he said softly during Millicent’s playing, and I cringed inwardly. She hated it when anyone talked during a performance.

“Of course,” I whispered back. “All is well.”

“For what I said at dinner,” he continued. “If you wish to care for those two orphans, I think it’s very admirable.”

I stared to see if he was sincere. He was still a little drunk, but that probably made him more truthful, not less so.

“May I call on you again tomorrow, Miss Robbins? I’d like to take you on a walk. Perhaps we could have a private moment to talk.”

My stomach sank.

I focused my eyes on Millicent, who glanced often in Lord Markeley’s direction while she played. I smiled at her.

“Miss Robbins?” Lord Markeley whispered loudly.

“Yes, yes, of course,” I said quickly. It wasn’t what I wanted to say, but it silenced him.

The rest of the night was as pleasant as it could be, with me thinking of the terrible Gilbert White who threatened to return tomorrow, the “private talk” Lord Markeley wished to have, and my anger at Mr. Merritt’s and Mrs. Drake’s reaction to my saying I would not give up Joshua and Sarah to that man.

When everyone began to go home, Lord Brookhaven took me aside and said, “I will send one of my men—Henson, he’s very stout and dependable—to guard your house. If that Gilbert White returns, Henson will not allow him to get in again.”

“But what if he brings the constable?”

“He won’t. But there is no need to worry even if he does. The constable in this part of London is an old friend of my father’s. All will be well. And I won’t let him take the children. We’ll hide them at Lowndesbury House if we must.”

I was so relieved, my knees went weak. “Thank you.” I wanted to tell him I was grateful for his help, but my throat tightened and I couldn’t speak.

He squeezed my hand before donning his hat and leaving.

Twenty-Four

The next morning, I was standing near the front door and putting on my gloves for my morning walk when I heard raised voices just outside.

I started to open the door, but something told me to wait. I heard the voice of the man from the night before, Gilbert White, and another male voice shouting back and forth about going in, staying out, taking what was his, and on and on. Then I heard a new voice, speaking in a normal tone, which was too quiet for me to make out.

“Charlotte!” Hattie was hurrying toward me, Millicent just behind her. “I saw from my window ... that man from last night and another rough-looking fellow, and they appeared to be arguing. Then, just now, Lord Brookhaven and another man have come.” Her eyes were big, and she covered her mouth after she finished speaking.

I reached for the doorknob.

“I don’t know if you should—”

I opened the door. If Lord Brookhaven was outside, it should be safe. Besides, I didn’t want that nefarious man to think I was frightened of him.

“I’ll fetch the constable if you don’t give me my kin!” Mr. White was saying, his hands balled into fists as he faced the large man who I suddenly realized was probably Henson, Lord Brookhaven’s man.

Lord Brookhaven’s eyes were narrowed as he and the gentlemanbeside him stared Mr. White down. But when he saw me at the door, Lord Brookhaven took a step, motioning for me to stay back.

I closed the door partway, watching through the crack.

“Who are you to keep me children from me?” Mr. White was saying. “I’ll fetch the constable, I will!”